ATLANTA, GA - The International Woodworking Fair (IWF) has released the 2012 finalists for the Design Emphasis competition.

This contest showcases furniture pieces built by college and university students throughout the United States. The top furnishings will be displayed during IWF, August 22-25 at the Georgia World Congress Center.

Each finalist will display their piece of furniture before a judging panel including industry designers, manufacturing and retail executives, and members of the trade press who have design-oriented backgrounds.

Judges will choose winners in each of the five different categories: seating, case goods, commercial/office/hospitality furniture, accent furniture/accent tables and design creativity.

A best of show prize is also awarded. Approximately $12,000 in prize money will be given to the winners.

Emphasis Design finalists and their projects for each category include:

Accent Furniture/Accent Tables

Benjamin Billick - Reveal Table, Parsons The New School for Design

Jacob Blok - Coffee Table, Kendall College of Art and Design

Jacob Blok - Syamore & Stainless Steel Hall Table, Kendall College of Art and Design

Yael Cohen - Engagement Coffee Table, University of Bridgeport SASD

James Ellis - Corner Cabinet, Western Piedmont College

Kyle Emme - Poise End Table, Kansas State University

Noah Fiorentino - Coffee Table, Haywood Community College

Chad Griffith - Duevole, Auburn University

Douglas Larson - La Fleche Stool, Jefferson Community and Technical College

Brandon Skupski - X-Flat table, Haywood Community College

Casegoods

Jacob Blok - Dresser, Kendall College of Art and Design

James Ellis - Twisted Console, Western Piedmont College

James Ellis - Kitchen Island with Butcher Block, Western Piedmont College

David Freeman - Zig Your Zag, Herron School of Art and Design

Jordan Kear - Maple Cabinet, Tennessee Tech University (Appalachian Center for the Crafts)

Karen Lara - Bookshelf, University of Oklahoma

Commercial Office, Hospitality

Justin Brown - Zwei Desk, Columbus College of Art and Design

Sierra Cuda - Desk, Kansas State University

Richard Lubrano - Astro Table, University of Bridgeport

Samantha Mallard - Courting Chair, Haywood Community College

Bandon Skupski - Passing Through Bench, Haywood Community College

Christopher Stuart - Tonal Bench, Herron School of Art and Design

Design Creativity

Jassim Al Nashmi - Canyon Table, Iowa State University

Ini Archibong - Stargazer Lounge, Art Center College of Design

Jacob Blok - Jewelry Cabinet, Kendall College of Art and Design

Chelsea Byers - Ataraxia Swing Bed, Auburn University

Michael Demarco - Lamp, Appalachian State University

Zach Eastburg - Ember Stool, Art Center College of Design

Elmar Fujita - Lift Table, Parsons The New School for Design

Cierra Myers - Chair, Kansas State University

Matthew Osborn - Circle Table, Herron School of Art and Design

John Rice - Little Red Table, Kansas State University

Steven Sander - Cherry Stick Bench, Herron School of Art and Design

Christopher Stuart - Alfred Slab Table, Herron School of Art and Design

Seating

Victoria Beaulieu - Lounge, Kansas State University - Interior Arcitecture & Product Design

Brittany Boyne - Poplar Chair, Miami University

Kathleen Chang - Crocodile Chair, Auburn University

Mo Chieng - Embrace Chair, Art Center College of Design

Alex Dorfman - Panama Chair, Purdue University

Beth Dringenberg - Flex Chair, Kansas State University

Derek Elliot - Patio Chaise, Appalachian State University

Josh Goldstein - Pivot Chair, Kansas State University

Kurtis Heinen - La Rama Chair, Kansas State University

Samantha Mallard - Stretch Chaise, Haywood Community College

John Rice - Steam Bend Chair, Kansas State University

Austin Richards - Xylem Chair, Appalachian State University

Jacinta Stecklein - Fleur Chair and Ottoman, Kansas State University

Angela Wang - MA Chair, Art Center College of Design